[1] The book is edited by Robert Dimery, an English writer and editor who had previously worked for magazines such as Time Out and Vogue.

[3] In the book's introduction, general editor Robert Dimery notes that the selections were also intended to bring attention to gifted songwriters.

[4] The 2005 edition starts with Frank Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours,[4] and ends with Get Behind Me Satan by the White Stripes.

Writing for The Sun-Herald in November 2005, John Clare said that he loved the book and that it "is good-looking and has a great body" which is "perfectly proportioned", being "fat but not too wide or tall".

[9] In February 2006, Publishers Weekly called the book a "bookshelf-busting testament to music geeks' mania for lists" and said it was "about as comprehensive a 'best-of' as any sane person could want".

"[10] Mirela Roncevic reviewed the book for Library Journal in May of that year, citing it as an example of a reference work that is "highly enjoyable to browse" and "downright addictive".